Best National Parks In Spain

Written by Joeri Van Overloop

Spain is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, boasting stunning landscapes and breathtaking views. From rugged mountain ranges to lush forests, Spain has a wide range of natural attractions to explore. One of the best ways to experience these incredible sights is by visiting some of the country's most beautiful national parks. Here we take a look at the best national parks in Spain, perfect for anyone looking to get out and enjoy nature at its finest.

1. Picos de Europa National Park

The Picos de Europa National Park in Spain is a natural wonder that should be experienced by anyone looking for an outdoor adventure. Located in Northern Spain within the Cantabria Mountains, the park covers an area of 91,200 hectares and includes three distinct mountain ranges and four provinces. Its breathtaking landscape features granite spires, deep gorges, and crystal-clear rivers surrounded by lush vegetation including centuries old forests and some of the most impressive limestone formations in Europe.

The park also boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna including over 1,500 plant species as well as wolves, chamois, deer, otters and eagles making it a great spot for wildlife observation.

2. Ordesa National Park

Ordesa National Park is a stunningly beautiful and diverse natural area. Located in the Central Pyrenees, it contains some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. The park was declared a national park in 1918, making it one of the oldest parks in Europe. It offers plenty of activities such as hiking, mountaineering and other outdoor pursuits, thanks to its rugged terrain and unique geographical features.

The park has an incredible array of flora and fauna due to its varied geography that includes canyons, ravines, gorges, rock formations and forests. Some species have adapted to this environment for many thousands of years - for example, there are several bird species found exclusively at Ordesa National Park that can't be found anywhere else on earth!

3. Teide National Park

Teide National Park is a stunning and captivating landscape located in the Canary Islands of Spain. Situated on the peak of Mount Teide on the island of Tenerife, the park has an active volcano that echoes its presence throughout the park with its rocky black lava fields and soaring mountains. Taking in this awe-inspiring scene, visitors can experience a truly unique atmosphere within the national park; almost like walking into a dreamscape.

The park is full of activities for visitors to explore such as hiking, biking, climbing and horseback riding along some magnificent trails. There are also several viewpoints around the park from which one can take in sweeping views over all of Teide National Park's grandiose beauty. For those wanting to take it up another level there are even cable car rides up to Mount Teide itself for an unforgettable experience!

4. Sierra Nevada National Park

Sierra De Nevada National Park is a spectacular natural haven located in southern Spain and is one of the most visited national parks in the country. It offers stunning vistas of dramatic mountains, lush valleys, and pristine lakes. The park covers an area of over 200,000 hectares and is home to a diverse range of greenery and fauna. A variety of activities are available to visitors, ranging from hiking and mountain biking to skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, horse-riding and wildlife viewing.

The park has two distinct climate zones: the Atlantic zone in the north-west corner is characterized by cooler temperatures and higher rainfall; while the Mediterranean zone in the south-east experiences warmer winters with less rainfall. This diversity creates an array of habitats for a wide range of species including brown bears, chamois deer, griffon vultures and numerous bird species.

5. Cabrera Archipelago National Park

Cabrera Archipelago National Park is a nature reserve located off the shore of Majorca. It is part of the Balearic Islands and was declared a national park in 1992. This remote location has over 100 small islands, coves, and bays that make up its stunning landscape. Cabrera's beauty comes from its diverse terrain; it includes towering cliffs, pristine sand beaches, rocky coves and crystal clear waters full of sea life.

Visitors to Cabrera can take boat trips around the archipelago to explore its unique geography and observe native wildlife such as dolphins, porpoises and seabirds which inhabit the area. There are many activities available on the islands such as scuba diving and snorkeling in order to uncover its underwater treasures or simply relaxing on one of the many beaches under the Mediterranean sun.

6. Caldera de Taburiente National Park

Caldera de Taburiente National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Spain. Located on La Palma, in the most northwestern point of the Canary Islands, this unique park features a majestic caldera – an extinct volcano crater – that's surrounded by volcanic ridges and steep cliffs. With its lush forests, diverse wildlife, and extraordinary geological formations, Caldera de Taburiente Park provides visitors with a truly unforgettable experience.

The entire park covers over 8100 hectares of land and is home to numerous endemic species including the blue chaffinch and wall lizard. It also has several trails that wind through dense forests featuring cedar trees as well as magma flows from ancient volcanoes which offer breathtaking views of Los Tilos Nature Reserve and other nearby areas.

7. Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park

The Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park is a spectacular natural oasis situated off the coast of northwest Spain. This protected national park encompasses four small islands, Illa de Ons, Onza, Cortegada and Salvora. Each of these little havens offer mesmerizingly beautiful views, with crystal-clear waters lapping up against miles upon miles of pristine sandy beaches.

The Atlánticas de Galicia park boasts an abundance of unique flora and fauna - from its magnificent cedar forests to its diverse species of birds and mammals. From rare sea turtles to dolphins swimming in their natural habitat, visitors have the opportunity to observe some truly captivating creatures that inhabit this area. The surrounding waters are also home to a variety of fish species including bream, flatfish, conger, whiting and hake.

8. Monfrague National Park

Monfrague National Park is a stunning nature reserve located in Extremadura. It is one of the most important bird reserves in the world and is home to a wide variety of bird species from storks and vultures to eagles and woodpeckers. The park also contains an array of other wildlife, such as red deer, Iberian lynx, otters, wild boar and even Spanish imperial eagles. It has been described as ‘a paradise for ornithologists’ due to its vast population of birds.

In addition to its fauna richness, Monfrague National Park also boasts spectacular landscapes with lush meadows full of flowers, rocky mountains peacefully overlooking rivers and lakes surrounded by forests. Hikers are further enchanted by the many streams passing through the park’s rugged terrain which offer plenty of opportunities for exploration.

9. Aiguestortes National Park

Aiguestortes National Park is located in the Spanish Pyrenees, just an hour and a half from Barcelona. It is one of the most beautiful natural parks in Spain, home to a complete range of mountains, rivers and lakes that provide visitors with breathtaking views and plenty of opportunities for exploration. In addition to its natural beauty, the park also offers a variety of activities such as hiking, fishing and birdwatching.

The park covers over 200 square kilometers of territory featuring more than 200 lakes as well as other aquatic features like streams and waterfalls. Spain's highest mountain peaks reach heights up to 2,500 metres above sea level providing panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. There are plenty of trails available for hikers ranging from easy strolls to more challenging treks; some require a permit or guide due to difficulty or location.

10. Timanfaya National Park

Timanfaya National Park is situated on the Spanish island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Located at the southwestern tip of the island, it covers an area of around 51 square kilometers and is home to one of Europe’s most stunning geological attractions – a volcanic landscape made up of 25 volcanoes and several lava fields. It was declared a national park in 1974 and today remains a popular tourist destination.

The distinctive way in which Timanfaya Park looks today is thanks to its fascinating geology; nearly 300 years ago, between 1730 and 1736, six severe eruptions occurred here that caused deep ravines to form as well as covering much of the land with ash and magma. The result is an incredible natural wonderland made up of red, yellow and black colors from cooled molten rock - truly captivating for visitors!

11. Cabaneros National Park

Cabaneros National Park in is a beautiful natural destination for any traveler. This park, located in the province of Ciudad Real, is known for its impressive biodiversity and diverse landscapes. The park is covered by oak and cork trees that provide shelter for numerous species of birds, mammals and reptiles. In addition to its plants and wildlife, Cabaneros also offers many recreational activities such as hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are several trails marked with signs to help guests explore the park safely.

The enchanting scenery of Cabaneros National Park creates an ideal environment for nature lovers to observe wildlife or simply take in the beauty of this remarkable setting. It also provides an opportunity to learn more about the region's cultural heritage through local interpretive programs as well as educational tours led by experienced guides.

12. Tablas de Daimiel National Park

Tablas de Daimiel National Park is a stunningly beautiful and captivating place. Located in Ciudad Real, it was declared a national park in 1973. The park covers a total area of about 32,807 hectares, making it one of the largest natural wetland areas in Europe.

It has been designated as a Ramsar Wetland site due to its importance to numerous species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. The area can be divided into two distinct zones: the Tablas de Daimiel and La Mancha depression which are marked by their morass of shallow waters and fens respectively.

13. Doñana National Park

Doana National Park is located along the Atlantic coast of Huelva province, an is a paradise for nature lovers. Spanning over 590 km2, Doana National Park is one of the most important marshlands in Europe and serves as a home to hundreds of species of flowers and fauna. The park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its unique environment and its remarkable UNESCO biosphere reserve diversity.

The Doana national park is home to mesmerizing landscapes full of wild marshes, dunes, lagoons and salt pans making it an incredibly beautiful place to explore. Nature-lovers are sure to enjoy activities like bird watching, kayaking or canoeing through the lagoons or taking part in guided tours around the marshlands. It's also worth noting that there are plenty of hiking trails available for visitors who want to explore further inland.

More Spain Travel Resources